Id like to add a word on cost, as the cost of an instrument doesnt always correlate to the sound. but in general you will find university level music students playing on instrument from 5 to $20,000 and symphony players around $100,000. many luthiers in the past copied certain makers up to and including the label. Like I have a strad 1728 model although its actually german made from the 20's I rained on someones bonfire once when she insisted she had a strad because thats what the label said.